Automobile signal switch



Nov. 6, 1928.

O. A. HOELLER AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL SWITCH Filed July 16, 1925 Patented-Nev; 6,1928.

DHarrie-u lSTATES omo A. nomma, or cmcnmarr, omo.,

AUTOIOBILE SIGNAL SWITCH.

animaux ne'a'my ais, ms. semi n'. sans.

My invention relates to automobile signals' and particularly to a switch to be used in connection with turning signal lights.

Another object is to provide a semi auto- Amatic switch mechanism operatin in conjunction witii the steering wheel o an autoo 1 e for a'selective control of diiierent direction indicating signals, the si al control being through `a single controlling member manually operated for-a' selective signal electric circuit control and* automatically releasable for returning the lever `to a neutral position through an appropriate directional movement ofthe steering wheel.

usage of turning signals has been that of constructing a suitable switch for positive operation and control of the signals. Customarily the driver operates the switch forlighting 20 the proper signal to indicate the turn he wishes to make, and afterturning often forgets to throw out the switch thus causing the signal to be displayed after the turn has been completed. v

An object of my invention is to provide a semi-automatic switch adapted to be mounted within reach of the driver which can be manually thrown in by the driver to light the appropriate turning signal lights, and automatically thrown out by the movement of the steering wheel when the turn has been started.

Another object is to provide such a semiautomatic switch for either right or left hand signals which can be entirely manuall oper- '55 ated independent of the steering w eel or semi-automatic feature at the option of the driver.

Other objects and advantages will be more fully set forth in the description of the acw companying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a general view of my -improved form of switch showing it mounted on the steering post and in operative position with the steering wheel.

Figure .2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2, of Fig. 1, detailing the rotatableswitch element.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the switch in top v iew.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4, of Fig. '3, detailing one of the cams mounted on the steering post foroperating the switch.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram showing the One of thel problems presented by the wide circuifin'whichthe -switch is placed for suitble control of the turning signals.

The switch casing 1 is i'nouted on the Steering post 2 by means of a split bracket 3 clamped thereabout by screws, one section of on the bracket having an eittension on which the casingl is suitably secured.` As viewed in Fig. f 11,- the casing has its top portion 4 squared,.and 'base portion 5 rounded or formed von a radius taken from the center of the shaft 6 mounted 65 within the casing and rotatively carryin thex switch element- 7. The switch element 7 gas a 'groove near the lower edge to receive al switch handle 8 attached thereto by screws and extending througha slot 9'* in the base tif. the -7" casing y1. At eachside of the handle `8 and-"' also secured'in the groove, are two ears 9 of insulating material extending radially from the switch element. These'ears are adapted to engage and close the electrical contacts of 7i the switch. The electrical contacts consist f of screws. lOliaving their heads extending`to the inside of the casing, these' screws being mounted in and suit-ably insulated from the side walls of the casing one screw on each side of the switch element 7. These screw contacts have electric connectors 11, 12, suitabl connected thereto at the outer ends,a.ndlea invto the respective signallamps. The mova le contacts 13 are mounted on the ends of a metal 85 strip 13 secured on the inner side of the rounded portion of the casing and insulated therefrom, this strip having its ends 14 of spring metal adapted toiex inwardly toward the rotative switch element. A suitable elecou tricconnector 15 is fastened to this metal strip through one of the insulated screws which hold it" to thc casing, this connector leading to the current source. A spring 16 is coiled about the forward end of the shaft, one end 9: of the spring being fastened to the shaft and the other to the switch element 7 as a balancing means to return the switch element to normal position when released.

`Pivota1ly mounted at the top of the casing 100 and at the side toward the steering post, is a release or trip lever 17 having a detent portion 18 at the inner end for en agement with notches 19 in the periphery of t e switch element, the opposite end of the lever extending under the steering wheel hub. This detent portion 18 is held against the periphery of the switch element by means of a strip of spring metal 20 having one end bearing thereagainst, the opposite end fastened f in the casing 1. The -notches and detent together constitute two latches adapted to hold the Switch element in Contact 'closing -position.

A metal ring 21 is secured 'about the hub portion of the steering wheel 22 and depends slightly below the same. To this ring two cams 23 are adjustably secured by means of slots in the cams, these cams having a. portion underhanging the lower edge of, thering to add to therigidity of the structure. These cams are fastened at each side-of the release lever at a distance appropriate to operate the release lever for either direction of wheel rotation. That portion of the periphery oit' the switch element between the notches/19 is of a. radius which holds the release lever clear of the cams when the handle is not thrown. A

The front of the casing 1 has a removable flanged cover plate 24 fastened thereon by means of a yscrew entering intothe end ot' the shaft 6. "1 y lfVhen the driverdesires to make a turn to. the left, for instance, he rotates th'eswitch member 7 by throwing the handle portion 8 to the left. The ear 9 strikes the flexed portion of the movable contactstrip 13 forcing the movable Contact 13 against the head ot' the contact screw 10.` 'Ihis completes the circuit to the particular signal lamp by joining the connectors 11 and 115. The detent d portion 18 of the release lever 17 then engages the/notch 19 of the switch member, the release or trip lever beingfin the position shown in dot and dash lines, (Fig. l). This completesthe manual operationfor .this turn unless the driver changes-his mind about turning' upon which decisionhe canreturn f the handle to neutral position manually'.

ing from the switch to lights 25 on the left of the car, front and rear, and connector 12 leading from the switch to lights 26 on the right of the car, front andrear. The connector 15 leads to the battery' 27, the batte being grounded on the frame, all .of the lig ts'also ing grounded on the frame to complete the imity to the steering Wheel, a switch mounted in said casing and manually oscillated for selective cont-rol of the circuits of a plurality ot' direction indicating signal lghts, said switch having grooves therein, a latch member pivotally mounted between said switch and the steering wheel, said latch member having a detent portion at one end for engaging-a respective groove in said switch for maintaining the switch in circuit closing position, and the other end of said latch member extending beneath said steering wheel hub for receiving actuation therefrom to release said switch when the Wheel is rotated a determined distance. l l

2. In combination with the steering wheel of an automobile, a switch mechanism comprising a switch casing mounted in proximity to the steering wheel, a switch rotatably mounted in said casing and manually oscillated for selective control of a. plurality ot direction indicating signal lights, a latch member pivotally mounted in said casing between said switch andsaid steering wheel, a spring engaging said latch member for maintaining it in engagement with said switch, said switch having grooves therein, said latch member having a detent portion at one end for engaging a respective groove -in the switch formaintaining. the switch in circuit closing position, and the other end of said latch member extending beneath the steer- -OTTO A. HOELLER. 

